Celtics: Trading fifth pick not likely

By Scott Souza

Thursday

Jun 28, 2007 at 12:01 AMJun 28, 2007 at 2:33 AM

If you believe Celtics coach Doc Rivers, watching three top lottery prospects Monday in Phoenix made the choice for No. 5 in tonight's NBA draft more difficult. If you believe a lot of the whispers around town, the guy the Celtics are highest on wasn't even there.

If you believe Celtics coach Doc Rivers, watching three top lottery prospects Monday in Phoenix made the choice for No. 5 in tonight's NBA draft more difficult. If you believe a lot of the whispers around town, the guy the Celtics are highest on wasn't even there.

If you believe all the rumors swirling the past two weeks, then the team will find a way to move its first pick tonight for a veteran. If you believe Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, you shouldn't have believed most of what you heard.

So is there any wonder why there is so much intrigue surrounding the Celtics today as they take their first major step to distance themselves from last year's debacle of a season?

Ainge said following yesterday's final pre-draft workout at HealthPoint that it was unlikely the team would be trading the No. 5 pick, and that he had his draft board pretty much set in his mind. He said the only thing determining the name the Celtics call tonight around 8:15 is what happens in the four spots ahead of them.

Three of the top candidates worked out for Ainge and Rivers in Arizona Monday when Florida's Joakim Noah, Corey Brewer and Georgetown's Jeff Green took part in what Rivers called, "one of the better workouts I've seen in years."

The other presumed major consideration - China's 7-footer Yi Jianlian - was likely going through another one of his solitary practice sessions under wraps in a Los Angeles gym at about the same time.

With Ainge doing his best to douse the flames of rampant trade talk yesterday, the focus turns to which of the four will wind up in Celtic green tonight.

Rivers praised Noah, Brewer and Green, though Noah is considered the long shot of the trio.

"They did nothing to help us make that choice," Rivers said. "They all were extremely competitive. It was a great atmosphere for that kind of workout. When you come in that late and you have three guys who you could possibly take, and they are all in the gym at the same time, that usually means that will be a hell of a workout. It was exactly that."

The coach said his opinion of Noah has improved over the course of two workouts: "His first step is as good as I've seen for a guy that big. His shot might be the worst thing I've seen."

Rivers also lauded Brewer's wingspan and defensive ability, but seemed to save his greatest affection for Green, who played with his son, Jeremiah, on Georgetown's Final Four team this spring.

"The thing that stood out with Jeff yesterday," Rivers said, "is that it is clear after watching him that he can easily play the three as easy as he can play the four. I had more questions about whether he could play the four until yesterday when he went up against Noah. It was not an issue, I can tell you. He was clearly the most physical presence on the floor.

"The other thing he did defensively," Rivers added, "was that he got way out on the floor and stayed with guys. They couldn't turn him and that was impressive."

Though Brewer and Green are considered two of the most NBA-ready players likely to be available to the Celtics, many think Jianlian's purported star potential will be too tempting that high in the draft.

"Everyone who has seen him has come away with the same thing," Rivers said, "that athletically he is unbelievable, he is longer than everybody and he can hit his shot.

"I trust Danny on that," Rivers concluded. "It will come down to the three or four college players we like, then we put Yi in there, and we have to make the call."

***

While Ainge remained steadfast that he would not discuss specific trade rumors, he seemed amused with the abundance of buzz surrounding the team.

"I think they are kind of fun," he said of the often-wild reports. "What I think is really fun is that you guys (the media) actually believe them and the fans actually believe them. (I hear) we're in on a four-team trade that has never been discussed, which is imminent. The next night we're sleeping on a three-team trade that's never happened, never been discussed."

Ainge also said he spoke with Paul Pierce on Tuesday and yesterday dispelled the notion that the captain will demand a trade if the Celtics dare to make their draft pick tonight.

"It was a great conversation," said Ainge, adding that he talks with all players on a regular basis. "Paul is very enthusiastic."

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